Learn how to build a functional homemade AM radio antenna using basic materials to ensure clear reception during emergencies.
AM radio may be a thing of the past in this day and age of computers and fast Internet speeds. However, there are certain situations that may still require listening to the AM radio. Severe weather disturbances that could shut down electricity and other telecommunications systems are not a far-fetched possibility. In such cases, the only thing you could turn to for important news updates would be your good old AM radio. Having a homemade AM radio antenna would then be useful for such situations to guarantee that you get the clearest possible reception.
- Gather all the materials you need to make a homemade AM radio antenna. You will need sufficient lengths of 22-gauge insulated wire. Also, prepare two separate pieces of wood cut to 24 inches in length, 1 inch in width, and about half an inch in thickness. Have another piece of wood cut to 30 inches in length, 4 inches in width, and 2 inches in thickness. You will also need nails and screws of different sizes, and a roll of sturdy twine. Finally, gather a hammer and screwdrivers of appropriate sizes.
- Create the frame for the homemade AM radio antenna. Take the two pieces of wood with the same dimensions and make a frame shaped into a cross. Secure it in the middle with screws, nails, or twine. Grab four small nails and hammer each into an end of the cross frame. Make sure that about a centimeter of each nail's end is sticking out from the wood.
- Set the cross frame for the homemade AM radio antenna onto a wood base. Position this frame firmly standing up on one of its spokes on the other piece of wood. Secure the frame to the wood base with screws or nails. Make sure the cross frame is properly positioned in the center of the wood base. This is important so that the homemade AM radio antenna will be stable.
- Start coiling the insulated wire onto the homemade AM radio antenna's frame. Remember the nail ends poking through the wood of each spoke? These nail ends will hold the wire wrapped around the frame. Take your length of insulated wire and start coiling it around the frame's spokes. Repeat this process about five times, or as many times as you have wire left. Just make sure you leave enough wire to attach the antenna to the AM radio later.
Now, all you need to do is position your newly-made AM radio antenna. The best location would be outside the house, screwed securely onto a section of the outer wall. Next, grab the remaining length of the wire and strip about an inch of covering from the end. Finally, connect the exposed copper wire to the AM inputs of your AM radio.
Make a Homemade AM Radio Antenna
Learn how to build a functional homemade AM radio antenna using basic materials to ensure clear reception during emergencies.
AM radio may be a thing of the past in this day and age of computers and fast Internet speeds. However, there are certain situations that may still require listening to the AM radio. Severe weather disturbances that could shut down electricity and other telecommunications systems are not a far-fetched possibility. In such cases, the only thing you could turn to for important news updates would be your good old AM radio. Having a homemade AM radio antenna would then be useful for such situations to guarantee that you get the clearest possible reception.
- Gather all the materials you need to make a homemade AM radio antenna. You will need sufficient lengths of 22-gauge insulated wire. Also, prepare two separate pieces of wood cut to 24 inches in length, 1 inch in width, and about half an inch in thickness. Have another piece of wood cut to 30 inches in length, 4 inches in width, and 2 inches in thickness. You will also need nails and screws of different sizes, and a roll of sturdy twine. Finally, gather a hammer and screwdrivers of appropriate sizes.
- Create the frame for the homemade AM radio antenna. Take the two pieces of wood with the same dimensions and make a frame shaped into a cross. Secure it in the middle with screws, nails, or twine. Grab four small nails and hammer each into an end of the cross frame. Make sure that about a centimeter of each nail's end is sticking out from the wood.
- Set the cross frame for the homemade AM radio antenna onto a wood base. Position this frame firmly standing up on one of its spokes on the other piece of wood. Secure the frame to the wood base with screws or nails. Make sure the cross frame is properly positioned in the center of the wood base. This is important so that the homemade AM radio antenna will be stable.
- Start coiling the insulated wire onto the homemade AM radio antenna's frame. Remember the nail ends poking through the wood of each spoke? These nail ends will hold the wire wrapped around the frame. Take your length of insulated wire and start coiling it around the frame's spokes. Repeat this process about five times, or as many times as you have wire left. Just make sure you leave enough wire to attach the antenna to the AM radio later.
Now, all you need to do is position your newly-made AM radio antenna. The best location would be outside the house, screwed securely onto a section of the outer wall. Next, grab the remaining length of the wire and strip about an inch of covering from the end. Finally, connect the exposed copper wire to the AM inputs of your AM radio.
Make a Homemade AM Radio Antenna
By Howtodotips
Learn how to build a functional homemade AM radio antenna using basic materials to ensure clear reception during emergencies.